Uncensored Money

Hosted by Melissa Browne: Ex-accountant, Ex-Financial Advisor & Ex-Working till I dro

Business Investing Education

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155

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Join me, Melissa Browne, ex-financial advisor, ex-accountant, ex-working till I drop. Now serial entrepreneur, best selling author and financial educator as I talk all things money. Why a podcast about money? That's because as women we're choosing not to talk about it and when it comes to dealing with money - we're kind of sucking at it. There is a wage gap that exists not simply in the corporate world but in the world of small and medium business owners where women should be on par with men. There is a gap between men and women that we've tossed in the too hard basket for the moment in our superannuation funds. And there's a widening gap between those who own property and those who do not. And let's not even talk about the role money and power holds in our society. That's why ladies I believe finance is a feminist issue. It's time we started to uncensor money. Here you'll find chats about money where we throw off the notion that money is crass or uncomfortable. It's all about becoming comfortable bringing money into our everyday conversations and through it, figuring out what our own money story is and whether we might want to change it.

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June 11, 2026Episode 937 min

Financial Coercive Control: The 6 Red Flags Every Woman Needs to Know

Content warning: This episode discusses financial abuse, coercive control, and intimate partner violence. Support services are listed at the end of these notes, including 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If anything in this episode is distressing, please reach out. In New South Wales, on 1 July 2024, coercive control became a criminal offence in intimate partner relationships. Queensland followed in May 2025. In 2026, the federal family law reform formally recognised financial abuse for the first time in Australian history. Which means a lot of the behaviours we've spent decades calling "a controlling marriage" or "he's just careful with money" are now, in a pattern — illegal. In this episode, Mel and Lawsie walk through the six signs of financial coercive control. Some you'll recognise. Some you'll have lived through and never had a word for. All of them are named in the legislation, the BOCSAR research, or both. The six signs covered The six signs of financial coercive control: 1. A lack of control over your own income — or a strict, often small, allowance that is tracked 2. Sabotaging your career or education to keep you financially reliant 3. Surveillance of every dollar you spend — big or small 4. Pressuring or tricking you into signing for loans and credit in your name 5. His money pays for him; your money pays for the kids, the groceries, and the essentials 6. Keeping you in the dark about household finances, debt, and investments Plus: Mel reclaims the term sexually transmitted debt: and explains why it's never been more relevant. Including the three things every Australian woman needs in her own name, no matter her relationship status. Save this episode, send it to a woman in your life, and we'll see you next week. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/what-the-finance/sexually-transmitted-debt/ 1800RESPECTNational sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. 24/7, free, confidential. 1800 737 732 1800respect.org.au National Debt HelplineFree, independent financial counsellors. Specialists in financial abuse. 1800 007 007 ndh.org.au Centre for Women's Economic SafetyNational charity focused on economic abuse. Runs free Money Clinics — one-on-one sessions with a trauma-informed female financial counsellor. Bookable online from anywhere in Australia. cwes.org.au · financialsafety.org.au Lifeline24/7 crisis support. 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au Your bank's DV teamEvery major Australian bank has a specialist domestic and family violence assistance team. Call your bank's main customer service line and ask to be referred — they will help with account separation, hardship arrangements, and credit reporting. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

May 20, 2026Episode 846 min

Why I'm shutting down a 7 figure (annually) program in my business

After more than a decade, 6,000+ women and many of their partners, and more financial transformations than we can count, Mel is closing the My Financial Adulting Plan. For good. Yes, she's closing rather than selling her continuing her 7 figure business. You might think she's crazy (she does a little too, that's OK.) But in this episode, Lawsie turns the microphone around and asks Mel the questions everyone has been too polite to ask. Why? What did it cost her personally to keep going? Was there a moment she almost changed her mind? And what does she hope the 6,000+ women who've been through MFAP actually walk away with? This is an honest, unscripted conversation between two people who built something together and are figuring out in real time what it means to close it. No sales script. No polished answers. Just Mel and Lawsie the way you love them. If MFAP has ever been on your radar, there are two rounds left. This conversation is the best reason to stop waiting. You can check out MFAP here: https://www.melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

May 13, 2026Episode 826 min

The Budget without the BS: What the 2026/27 Federal Budget Actually Means for Your Money

Last night's Federal Budget made a splash — but did it go far enough? In this episode, Mel gives you her unfiltered take on the 2026/27 Budget and walks you through exactly what's changing, who's affected, and what (if anything) you actually need to do about it. No political spin. No media clickbait. Just plain-English answers from someone who's spent 25 years in accounting and financial education. In this episode, Mel covers: Her honest take on the Budget — and why she thinks Labor stumbled on the biggest reform opportunity The Working Australians Tax Offset and the lifted $1,000 receipt-free deduction threshold Negative gearing changes for established properties — who's affected, who isn't, and the critical timeline The new build exemption and why Mel has thoughts Capital Gains Tax explained through Maxine's story — a worked example showing how the 50% discount, indexation, and the new minimum 30% tax rule all fit together What happens to pre-1985 assets (this one matters for older investors) The crackdown on discretionary trusts and income splitting Small business wins — including the permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off and loss carry-back rules The NDIS overhaul and what it means for 160,000 Australians Support changes for young people at risk of homelessness Mel's action list — five things to actually do with this information This podcast contains general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, objectives or needs. Please speak to a licensed financial adviser, accountant, or tax professional before making any financial decisions based on the content of this episode. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

March 18, 2026Episode 628 min

Uncensored Money Season Eight: Interest Rates, Inflation & Uncertainty: How to Stay Calm With Your Money

If it feels like everything is getting more expensive right now… you're not imagining it. Petrol prices are rising. Inflation is back in the headlines. Interest rates may move again. And share markets are bouncing around. Add global uncertainty into the mix and it's no wonder so many people are feeling nervous about their finances. In this episode, Mel talk through what's actually going on and more importantly, what you can do about it. This isn't about panic or drastic changes. It's about coming back to the fundamentals and building a strategy that works no matter what's happening in the economy. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below Find $10K in 12 Months Freebie can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

March 11, 2026Episode 527 min

If I Was Turning 50 Again, Here's What I'd Do (Money, The Gen X Edition)

If you're in your 50s and thinking it might be "too late" to change your financial future, this episode is for you. In this Gen X edition of the series, Mel shares what she would do differently if she was turning 50 again when it comes to money, investing and financial independence. Because while time matters, strategy matters more. Too many women in their 50s are focused solely on paying off the mortgage, assuming investing is over, or avoiding the uncomfortable question of "how much do I actually need?" This episode is about replacing wishful thinking with clarity and making the next decade financially powerful. We cover why your home is an asset but not necessarily a retirement plan, why knowing your "number" matters more than ever, and how to find more cash without working yourself into the ground. If you're Gen X, consider this your financial pep talk. Because we've adapted before and we can absolutely do it again. In This Episode, We Discuss • Why focusing only on paying off the mortgage can limit your retirement strategy • The difference between assets and investments • Why knowing your retirement "number" matters in your 50s • How to find more cash and create more financial choice • Why investing is not "over" just because you're in your 50s • Using superannuation and investing strategically in this stage of life • Rethinking housing options including downsizing, rentvesting or alternative living arrangements • Why financial literacy becomes even more important for women as we age For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting Find $10K in 12 Months Freebie can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

March 4, 2026Episode 447 min

Daring to be Wealthy

What if the world of finance was never designed with women in mind? In this special episode, Mel sits down with Lawsie to talk about her new book, Dare to Be Wealthy and the deeper truth behind why wealth still feels uncomfortable, taboo or "not for us" for so many women. This isn't just a conversation about investing, debt or super. It's about the subtle messages women absorb over a lifetime that shape how we earn, spend, save and dream, often without even realising it. Mel shares the personal experiences she's never spoken about publicly before, why she believes women need a financial revolution, and the biggest myths keeping women from building real financial independence. We also explore the things traditional finance books never talk about including hormones, ADHD, shame, reinvention, and why so many capable women still believe they've left it too late. If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or quietly unsure whether wealth is really "for you," this episode is your reminder that it is. And that it's never too late to begin. In This Episode, We Cover • Why the word dare matters and why wealth can still feel rebellious (or shameful or icky) for women • The hidden money messages women absorb growing up • Why shame keeps so many women stuck in debt or inaction • The biggest misconception about investing (and why it's simpler than you think) • How hormones, ADHD and life transitions affect financial decisions • Why financial independence is about choice, not greed • What Mel hopes women feel when they finish Dare to Be Wealthy For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below Dare to be Wealthy: melissabrowne.com.au/books

February 25, 2026Episode 338 min

If I Was Turning 40 Again, Here's What I'd Do Differently (Money Edition)

Turning 40 isn't a crisis. It's clarity. In this episode, Mel and LL unpack what they'd do differently financially if they were entering their 40s again. From investing myths to hormone health, divorce realities and reinvention. Because here's the truth: Your 40s aren't too late. They're often where confidence, income and courage finally align. We cover: • Why women (but not men) think they've "left it too late" to start investing • How $500 per month invested for 30 years could approach $1 million • Why investing doesn't have to be complicated (yes, even one broad-based ETF can be enough) • The mortgage obsession trap and why paying it off first doesn't always "math" • The real overspending stats behind Buy Now Pay Later (+54%) and credit cards (+18%) • The $17 billion impact of perimenopause and menopause on Australian women's earnings and super • Brain fog, automation and protecting your financial decision-making during hormonal transitions • Why your 40s are peak divorce years and how to protect your financial independence • Why 40 is not "too old" to start something bold (and the women who prove it) This episode isn't about panic. It's about power. If you're in your 40s this isn't a warning. It's an invitation. You still have time. But only if you start For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below: The 10k in 12 months link: melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months Investing in shares masterclass link: melissabrowne.com.au/shares Dare to be Wealthy: melissabrowne.com.au/books If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you subscribe, share with a friend and leave a review!

February 18, 2026Episode 232 min

If I Was in My 30s Again, Here's What I'd Do (Money Edition)

Your 30s are loud. Careers accelerate. Babies arrive (or don't). Relationships change. Houses get bought. Everyone looks like they've figured it out and suddenly money decisions feel heavier and more permanent. In this episode, Mel and Lawsie talk about the decade where momentum matters more than perfection. Because wealth in your 30s isn't built through dramatic moves. It's built through consistent ones… and by refusing to compare your life to someone else's highlight reel. We cover: – why small, boring investing still wins (even now) – the super conversation couples avoid and why women pay for it later – the insurance decisions that need to happen before life happens – avoiding the "dream home" golden handcuffs – lifestyle creep, pay rises and actually keeping your extra income – and the two habits quietly sabotaging women's finances: comparing and pressing pause This episode is for women earning well and women rebuilding because both can feel behind for different reasons. You're not late. You just need to start moving. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below: Choicey link: https://calendly.com/d/ctfq-ktz-9zc/switch-save-on-health-insurance-expert-review-mbm The 10k in 12 months link: melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months Investing in shares masterclass link: melissabrowne.com.au/shares DTBW: melissabrowne.com.au/books

February 11, 2026Episode 130 min

If I Was in My 20s Again, Here's What I'd Do Differently (Money Edition)

If you could rewind to your 20s… would you actually change anything? In this episode, we're not doing regret, we're doing perspective. Because your 20s aren't about earning the most money. They're about owning the most valuable asset you'll ever have: time. And whether you're currently 25, 45 or 55, understanding what a "time millionaire" is might completely change how you think about your finances today. Mel and Lawsie unpack the money moves that matter early (and the ones that quietly derail women for decades): – why bad debt steals your future without you noticing – how a few inconvenient years can transform your entire financial trajectory – the shocking long-term power of tiny, consistent investing – the financial truth behind relationships and wealth – and why confidence, not perfection, is the real goal of your 20s This episode isn't really about your 20s. It's about realising you're not as behind as you think and what to do next, no matter your age. You're richer than you think For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Links mentioned in the episode are below My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting Find $10K in 12 Months Freebie can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months Share Investing Masterclass can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/shares Dare to be Wealthy can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/books Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

July 20, 2025Episode 1015 min

What a difference no bad debt makes to a decade

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. This episode is the fourth in our miniseries where we're talking about the big impact a decade can really have on your finances. We've covered where you're at, and where you might want to go, and today, we're talking about getting rid of bad debt – completely. Bad debt is like a gaslighting, toxic boyfriend. It seems okay, but the reality is that it's keeping you trapped and controlled. If you want to build a better future, one of the best places to start is with kicking him out, and getting things under control. In this episode, Mel dives into the 4 types of debt, the common ways many of us fall victim to bad debt, and gives you tools and tips on how you can manage and get out of it. If you're ready to break up with your bad debt for good, this is the episode to tune into to learn how to make that happen. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here  25 Ways to find $10K in 12 months is here What are your Credit Card Points Costing You is here Her Wealth, Her Way Conference is here Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.